The Utah Board of Higher Education announced on January 14, 2026, it will implement a new presidential transition framework to strengthen continuity, communication and leadership support during presidential changes across the Utah System of Higher Education.

The new approach establishes formal presidential transition teams to support institutions during presidential searches and in the early months of new leadership. 

“This framework reflects the Board’s responsibility to ensure strong, well-supported leadership transitions across the Utah System of Higher Education,” said Utah Board of Higher Education Chair Amanda Covington. “Formal transition teams are a widely used best practice within and beyond higher education, and this approach is designed to preserve momentum and provide stability during periods of change.”

Under this model, presidential transition teams will include representatives from the Board, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, and institutional trustees. Teams will assess institutional priorities and near-term needs, support continuity and help inform the search process over several months.

The Board intends to use this model as a standard framework for future presidential leadership transitions across USHE.

The Board of Higher Education will immediately begin a search for UVU’s next president using the newly established presidential transition framework, following the announcement that Utah Valley University President Astrid S. Tuminez will step down effective May 1.

As the first presidential search conducted under the new model, the Utah Valley University presidential transition team will remain in place through the first six months of the new president’s tenure, extending support beyond the search process and into the early phase of leadership.

The Board will next appoint and publicly announce the UVU Presidential Search Committee. Additional details about the search process and opportunities for engagement will be shared in the coming weeks.